Archive for the ‘Hotels’ Category
Sep 20
Hilton Service Dog Policy
Sometimes you have to take some time away from home, whether it’s for business or pleasure. If you have a service dog, you can bring your dog with you while you travel. Because Hilton offers so many hotel options, there’s a good chance that you and your service dog may stay at one of their establishments. If so, understanding the Hilton Service Dog Policy can make your stay even more comfortable.
Hilton Hotels Welcomes Service DogsHilton Hotels boast 575 hotels over six continents worldwide. As a leader in the hotel industry, Hilton Hotels and Resorts sets the benchmark for customer service. With 90 years in the hotel business, Hilton uses its extensive knowledge to provide for all the needs of its clientele — including people with disabilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act Protects Your RightsThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of individuals with disabilities and defines service dogs as animals specifically trained to perform a task for a person with a disability. Under the ADA, a service dog may accompany their handler anywhere the public has access to — including hotels where no pets are allowed. In most circumstances, hotels can legally charge a pet fee or refuse to allow pets into their establishment. Service animals, however, are not pets and are exempt from limitations and additional fees.
Staying at the Hilton with a Service DogMany of Hilton’s hotels and inns have very pet-friendly policies. However, depending on the individual hotel, they have limitations for where pets can go. Pet fees are mandatory for pets to stay. Service dogs, however, do not fall under the hotel’s pet policies and are not subject to the same fees.
Where a Service Dog Can GoAccording to the ADA, service dogs have public access and may accompany their handler wherever the public is allowed. For example, in a hotel, the public is welcome into their dining room, but the kitchen is only open to employees. Therefore, a service dog may accompany their handler into the dining area, but not the hotel’s kitchen.
Hilton Hotels’ service animal policy will have every service dog feel at home. Alternative Goods and ServicesIn some cases, it’s not reasonable or possible for a service dog to accompany its handler to a specific area. If the service dog’s presence affects the handler’s ability to use the hotel’s goods and services, the hotel may make accommodations. The hotel may offer to secure the animal in a safe location and offer the assistance of an employee or provide an alternative service.
However, segregating a person with a service dog from other patrons because of the presence of their service dog is not allowed.
Fees and Charges for a Service Dog at HiltonAlthough pet fees don’t apply to service dogs, the hotel may charge a handler for any destruction of property. The charges would not be classified as a pet cleaning fee. Instead, charges would be priced as per a cleaning or damage fee incurred by any other guest.
Recognizing a Service DogHilton workers understand the importance of customer privacy. However, a Hilton employee is allowed to ask the following questions to verify a service dog:
Is the service dog necessary because of a disability? What task has the dog been trained to assist with?Hilton workers — or any other employee — may not ask a service dog owner to provide proof or have the dog demonstrate the task they perform.
Keep in mind, however, service dog’s laws and regulations may vary from country to country. In Canada, for example, Hilton employees may ask for documentation because Canadian laws allow for that practice. Conversely, in the United States, the ADA prevents people from asking for documentation or proof that a dog is a service dog.
Care and Control of a Service Dog at a HiltonThe Hilton is not responsible for the care, feeding, grooming, or toileting of a service dog. The handler must look after the service dog, including have the dog relieve itself in appropriate areas only.
The service dog must be under the control of its handler at all times. A Hilton employee may ask the handler to remove the animal from an area if the service dog becomes aggressive, growls, barks excessively, attacks, or jumps at other customers or employees. If other patrons are severely allergic to dogs, reasonable efforts are made to meet the needs of all parties.
Staying at a Hilton Hotel with Your Service DogAlthough it’s not mandatory, it’s best to let Hilton’s hotel services know that a service dog will accompany you when making a reservation. By doing so, it allows Hilton to make reasonable accommodations and ensure a stress-free stay. All Hilton staff receive training on addressing the needs of people with disabilities, enabling you to enjoy your stay with your service dog at any Hilton Hotel.
Airbnb has exploded in the past few years. These vacation rentals are a favorite for families and singles alike as they offer the comforts of home without the hassle of a hotel lobby. If you’re thinking about traveling with your service dog, you might find yourself wondering if you can stay at an Airbnb with your service dog. Peruse the Airbnb website, and you’re bound to find at least one or two homes that pique your interest. If your questions about service dogs are keeping you from booking an Airbnb stay, then continue reading. You may find the answers you’re looking for.
Airbnb Hosts Allow Service AnimalsAirbnb utilizes a strict “Nondiscrimination Policy” that instructs the hosts to reasonably accommodate reservations with service animals. Service animals are not pets. Therefore, a host must allow a service animal to stay even if their listing states that “no pets” are allowed. Like hotels, Airbnb must follow ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), a federal law that prevents discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities. In short, service animals are welcome at Airbnb.
How Does Airbnb Define a Service Animal?Airbnb places service animals under the umbrella term of “assistance animal.” According to Airbnb, assistance animals include service animals and emotional support animals (ESA) and fall under Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy. It states that a service animal is a dog that receives training to perform a task to help a person with a disability. Some examples of service animal tasks are:
Helping someone who is vision impaired. Alerting people who have a hearing impairment. Assisting someone who has a seizure disorder. Retrieving items that have fallen. Helping someone with a neurological or psychiatric illness by preventing destructive actions. Alerting people with diabetes of dangerous blood sugar levels.An emotional support animal, on the other hand, does not receive training to complete a task, but they are part of a person’s medical treatment and provide vital comfort. Whether they qualify as service animals or ESA, all assistance animals can stay at an Airbnb with their handler.
As stated in Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy legitimate service dogs can stay at Airbnbs. Can an Airbnb Host Deny a Service Animal?For the most part, an Airbnb host may not refuse a service animal. A service animal can be denied or removed from the property for the following reasons:
If an animal is not under the control of its handler, and measures the handler takes are not effective. If an animal is not housebroken.However, if an Airbnb is a shared space and a service animal would create a health hazard to the host or others, Airbnb will not require the host to allow a service animal. Airbnb encourages their hosts to disclose information about shared spaces, health concerns, and service animals within their listing. By doing so, the host provides future guests with enough information to decide what’s best for them.
If a host must ask to remove a service animal for the above reasons, the guest must receive an offer to stay on the premises without the service animal. Also, due to safety concerns, assistance animals must always have supervision.
Can an Airbnb Host Ask for Documentation?
Documentation isn’t required for a service animal to stay at an Airbnb. However, a host may ask the following two questions:
What task is the service animal trained to do? Is the service animal required because of a disability?Disclosure of the presence of a service animal isn’t necessary before booking an Airbnb. However, the company encourages guests to communicate their animals’ presence when booking to foster an environment of transparency. In addition, when traveling overseas and staying at an Airbnb with a service animal, it’s vital to check on the service animal laws for that country.
Can an Airbnb Host Ask For Extra Fees?An Airbnb host cannot charge pet fees or additional fees because of a service animal’s presence. They are not allowed to charge any fees that pertain to the service animal. When it comes to damages or repairs, any costs incurred should align with any damages or injuries that other guests without a service animal or pet would be held responsible for.
What Should You Do if You Were Denied a Reservation Because of a Service Animal?Airbnb seeks to welcome all people and does not condone any types of discrimination. If a customer feels they’ve experienced discrimination due to their service dog or condition, they can submit a report to the company through a form.
Service dogs have hotel rights as part of the public access rights given to service dogs and their handlers under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means they cannot be treated as pets and can accompany their handlers at no additional cost. Unfortunately, hotel staff members are sometimes unaware of these rights and don’t know how to treat a guest with a service dog. The following information is an overview of the main points to know about service dogs and hotels.
Can hotels charge for a service dog?No. Under the ADA, hotels cannot charge an extra fee for a service dog as they would a guest with a pet. Your service dog is also allowed in areas like the pool area, gym, and restaurants without charge. The hotel also cannot charge an additional deposit at check-in just because you have a service dog. Cleaning fees due to the service dog are also not allowed unless the dog causes a mess or property damage beyond normal wear and tear (normally shedding, for example, is fine).
What verification questions are hotels allowed to ask about service dogs?Hotel staff are allowed to ask a guest with a service dog two verification questions under the ADA:
Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?If the task is apparent (seeing-eye dog, wheelchair-related), the staff has no right to inquire about the service dog or your disability. When dealing with hotel staff members, presenting your service dog certification and identification card can help alleviate tension. Keep in mind, however, that under the ADA, hotel staff cannot insist on seeing documents as a condition of entry. If the hotel staff asks for things beyond the two questions, try to stay calm and remember that the staff members are only employees and might not be properly trained to deal with service animals in the hotel.
If the hotel staff continues to insist on seeing documents or ask prohibited questions, try pointing them directly to the ADA’s FAQ document, which clearly states what is allowed when verifying a service dog. You can try saying the following:
“Under the ADA, you can’t ask for a certificate, ID card, or proof of registration. Here is a copy of their rules.” “I have a service dog, and you’re permitted to ask me only two questions: 1. Is my dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has my dog been trained to perform? I can refuse to answer any other questions.” “I have answered the two questions allowed under the ADA, and you are not permitted to ask further questions or ask me for documents. If you cannot accommodate my service dog, I’d like to see a supervisor or someone who manages ADA accommodations for your facility.”Share this image on your site (copy code below): <div style="clear:both"><a href="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-rules-for-staying-in-hotels/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;margin:0 0 10px;" src="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/What-can-hotel-staff-ask.jpg" title="What can hotel staff ask you about your service dog?" alt="Hotel staff can ask 2 questions and cannot ask about details" border="0" data-src="" /></a></div> Copy
In addition, the hotel staff still has to act according to the rules of conduct the general public should follow concerning a service dog. These include:
No petting the dog No speaking to, teasing, or distracting the dog No feeding the dog or interfering with its workKeep in mind that staff is not required to help you perform any tasks related to the service dog, such as taking it out to relieve itself, feeding it, handling it, etc.
Following the Rules of the HotelUnder the ADA, persons with disabilities in hotels have the right to bring a service dog into the room and common areas without being charged additional pet fees. However, you will still be expected to follow other hotel rules that pertain to guests and animals.
Here are some general hotel rules to follow:
Your service dog must be under your control at all times, whether this is by means of a leash, hand gestures, or voice control Your dog cannot disturb other guests Your service dog cannot cause a continual noise disturbance If your service dog damages anything in the hotel room, you are still responsible for the cost of those damages Staying at an Airbnb With Your Service DogYou can stay at an Airbnb with your service dog free of charge, even at properties that are listed as not allowed to have pets. Airbnb hosts in the United States must allow service animals if they rent out the entire home or apartment to an Airbnb guest. It’s a good idea to let your host know ahead of time that you will be bringing a service dog with you so that there are no misunderstandings when you check-in.
Airbnb hosts must apply to the ADA and allow service animals into their rentals. Hotel Violations of ADA Service Dog RulesHotels, motels, and AirBNBs that don’t comply with ADA rules can face legal repercussions, including lawsuits and fines. In one case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a settlement with the Comfort Inn in Guilford, Connecticut, to address violations of the ADA after an individual with disabilities filed a complaint about being denied accommodation due to his service animal. As part of the settlement, the hotel implemented a new policy that prohibited staff from requiring documentation for service animals and improved accessibility features, including designated accessible parking and modifications to guest rooms. Additionally, the Comfort Inn trained its staff on these new policies and ensured that service animals were permitted in all areas of the hotel accessible to guests.
In two other cases, the Justice Department announced settlement agreements to protect veterans with service dogs under the ADA. The agreements, with Deerfield Inn & Suites in Alabama and the Landmark Hotel Group in Virginia, require these businesses to adopt service dog policies and provide training to ensure equal access for veterans. Both hotels had previously refused service to veterans with service dogs, leading to these settlements, which also included compensation for the veterans involved.
These cases demonstrate how important it is for hotel operators to understand their obligations under the ADA when it comes to service dog owners. Mistreating a service dog handler can lead to costly fines and legal proceedings. Are you looking for a dog-friendly hotel? Check out our guide on the most dog-friendly hotel chains.
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Distinguish your Service Dog from a PetMany hotels have policies against pets, but service dogs are not pets. An ID can help distinguish your service dog from a pet, ensuring you get access to your room and other hotel facilities without hassle.
Under the ADA, hotels can’t require documentation for service dogs, but having an ID card can simplify interactions with hotel staff who may not be familiar with service dog laws.
Remember, while ID cards, certificates and other documents can be helpful, they do not convey any rights under the ADA.
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